Book Review: A Worthy Man by Jaime Reese

Title: A Worthy ManAuthor: Jaime ReeseSeries: The Men of Halfway House #5Heroes: Vannguard/DraytonGenre: MM ContemporaryLength: Not availablePublisher: Romandeavor, Inc.Release Date: May 2, 2017Available at: AmazonAdd it to your shelf:Goodreads

Blurb: Vannguard Shaw has spent the last ten years serving a life sentence and adjusting to the ache of solitude. He accepts his fate, a sacrifice for the only man he ever loved and the one person who saw beyond his rough edges.

Drayton grew up with a trust fund and pre-planned future, but an unexpected encounter one night forces him to abandon everything and start from scratch. He is now a self-made man and developer of one of the most sought after electric exotic automobiles in the world with a fortune greater than that of his birthright. Yet, he’d surrender it all—again—for the only man who’s still ever-present in his heart.

After a decade and entirely too much distance between them, Vann is suddenly released back into a world that has been nothing but cruel. Drayton never lost hope they would once again reunite and pick up where they left off, but Vann’s stubborn nature and repeated encounters with a heartbreaking world prove to be a challenge.

Vann needs to tap into his fighting spirit’s reservoir of strength and hope life doesn’t punish him for taking a chance. Only then will he realize his own value and feel worthy enough to finally have Drayton’s heart. And their chance at forever.

Review: I want to start off by first commenting on the cover. I LOVE this series and the covers are so absolutely perfect for each book. They really add to the understanding of the story because the cover models are so well chosen to match the MC.

One of the things I really appreciate about Jaime’s series/writing is her ability to make the characters the central focus. Most romances are character driven by definition, but it’s easy to let the other “stuff” take over or overshadow the characters. In none of the books in the Halfway House series is that the case. Yes, there are other things going on- I’m thinking specifically about Cole and Ty and their race to finish the cars or trap the bad guy – but learning about themselves and (ultimately) their partner is always the main focus of each book.

This book reminded me most of Cameron and Hunter’s book, A Hunted Man. The pacing was similar, some of the “scenery” and some of the same “issues” were explored. Cameron is even in this book a few times helping Van in the diner. A major difference is that Dray and Van already know one another and already love one another – so theirs is a romance of getting to know the “new” person each has become. As a result, the physical part of their relationship moves a bit quicker than it does in some of the other books in this series, and this is probably one of the “steamier” books in the series.

Jaime uses letters and flashbacks and journal entries to bridge the gap between then and now. Since our two MCs know each other, they share a lot of history. I thought the way this was sprinkled in throughout the book really felt authentic and was a great way to show the reader the past without just dumping it on us in one fell swoop.

Of all the books in this series, I think this is the most sentimental. Dray is 100% sappily in love with Van and isn’t afraid to show it. He’s nerdy and quirky and sweet and adorable when it comes to Van. Van, on the other hand, is really far more reclusive and less trusting but no less in love.

Fans of the author and this series will love seeing Matt and J, as well as a bit of Aidan, Cameron and Cole again (I wish we’d gotten to see more of Van and Cole together – they would be a RIOT!).

This is a story with very little – almost no angst – just a slow rebuilding of a relationship and a blossoming of development of a man learning his own value in the world. It’s sweet, tender, loving, and most of all – romantic.

(I hope Ben’s story is next in line – what a great character he is!)

Highly Recommended

Overall Impression: I loved it!

*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.*